Painting Guides & Terrain Guides

[DoctorDuckButter]

Hello All,


    I need some recommendations on guides for Painting and Terrain building. I believe myself to be a decent painter, but I keep reading online about different blending techniques and things of that nature that I am clueless about and I want to learn more. As for terrain, I am a complete novice. I am looking to build Old West and natural terrain to begin with and wanted some instructions. IO would prefer something with plenty of pictures and things broken down into steps if possible. Thoughts?

This is some examples of my painting, which as said, I believe is good, but I want to take it up a notch.

[Red Orc]

Well, your painting looks excellent to me, but as for terrain, I've always thought (well, for at least the last 7 years or so) that the best site on the net for terrain is TerraGenesis - http://www.terragenesis.co.uk/

There should be plenty of things there from plants to structures to geology that will keep you busy!

[Alfrik]

Check out my blog at http://armoredink.blogspot.com/

left side, LABELS lists various styles of terrain and vegitation I have done, regular and for VSF Venus.

[Mindenbrush]

Best information on figure painting and blending are the Kevin Dallimore books available from Foundry and other places.

[cram]

As Mindenbrush says, the Kevin Dallimore books are great. There are two books: 'Foundry Miniatures Painting and Modelling Guide' and  'Kevin Dallimore's Painting And Modelling Guide: Master Class' both are at a reduced price at Amazon at the moment! The first book is out of stock at the moment though. 

[cram]

Almost forgot to mention: For a book on terrain making I find Games Workshops How to Make Wargames Terrain to be very good.

[oldskoolrebel]

Almost forgot to mention: For a book on terrain making I find Games Workshops How to Make Wargames Terrain to be very good.

Seconded!

I love how every model has a step by step guide to the basics followed by some images and suggestions on how the piece could be improved.

Fantastic book that I'd recommend whole heartedly to everyone; the only cravat is I'm not sure if it's out of print now? If it is PM me.

Cheers
Andy

[robh]

Depending on how "advanced" you want to go with your painting. The Dallimore books are an excellent guide on painting Wargame figures to one style. If you like that style look no further. Excellent results, clearly written and superbly illustrated. Well worth the money.

If you want to go beyond wargame figures and into the real of collector or display models and all that involves you need something better.

See here:
http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=42719.0

[generulpoleaxe]

As you are USA based try and get to Reapercon as the painting classes are taught by some damn good painters.
If Privateer press has an event on see if Meg will be their (head painting lass) as she is pretty damn handy with a brush as well as being very helpfull with explaining techniques etc.

Biggest key is to get the correct consistency for the techniques you are using. Skimmed milk is the look and feel you want for general highlighting as it will allow smooth blending without needing to continually add in a lighter colour.
The other trick is to master shading (thin the paint more) as it's quicker to shade.

I generaly start with a mod tone, shade then highlight. Then I add in extra colour etc for added character whilst finaly tweeking the highlights with an ivory for extra pow (contrast)

hope that helps.